Plants perform fascinating functions on multiple structural levels of hierarchy ranging from molecules and membranes to cells, tissues, organs, and the entire plant. In many cases, multiple functions are performed at the same structural level or multiple functions on different structural levels perform a superordinate function. Plant functions, e.g. biomechanics, photosynthesis, reproduction, self-repair, self-management, long-term and short-term adaptation to external stimuli etc., are the result of a fine-tuned development of material-structure-function relationships during growth and can change during ontogeny. By advancing imaging techniques, new approaches can be used to study functions that are developing or altering during ontogeny through the division of cells and the modification of tissue. These methods include super-resolution microscopy, confocal microscopy, two-photon microscopy, light-sheet microscopy, focused-ion-beam scanning electron microscopy, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, among others. Each method has advantages and disadvantages and can give novel insights into plant functions.
Our goal is to provide a platform for knowledge advancements and transfer on the topic of advanced imaging in plant development (growth, ontogeny) and function across scales. In the recent past, further developments and optimizations in both computer science and imaging technologies have resulted in new imaging and image postprocessing techniques that enable functional plant imaging on multiple levels of structural hierarchy (nm-m). Some techniques are dominated in specific plant disciplines (molecular biology, physiology, biomechanics etc.) but could also excel in research within other disciplines as well. Gathering novel research on image-based analysis of plant development and function across scales and disciplines within this article collection can provide a platform for researchers to explore different imaging techniques and to understand their advantages and disadvantages. In this way, functional plant imaging can further advance and close knowledge gaps.
This Research Topic intends to highlight advances in imaging of plant developmental processes and/or function dynamics. We welcome Original Research, Reviews, Opinions and Commentaries from a wide range of plant disciplines that deal with plant imaging, development/growth, and function. This includes research dealing with, but is not limited to, the following topics:
• Growth and ontogeny (signalling, responses to stimuli, climate change, organogenesis, morphogenesis etc.).
• Biomechanics (mechanical properties of plants, mechanical adaptations, impact resistance, etc.).
• Self-repair (signalling, self-sealing, self-healing, callus formation, local and global plant regeneration, and responses).
• Reproduction (gametogenesis and embryogenesis, pollen development, female gametophyte development, fertilization, fruit, and seed development etc.).
• Biomimetics (analysis and technical transfer of plant functions)
We acknowledge that Dr. Jaroslav Durkovic collaborates with the companies Attocube and Bruker for publishing research papers. There are no conflicts of interest taking this into consideration.
Keywords:
plant development, advanced imaging, plant-biomechanics, plant-microscopy, plant-ontogeny
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Plants perform fascinating functions on multiple structural levels of hierarchy ranging from molecules and membranes to cells, tissues, organs, and the entire plant. In many cases, multiple functions are performed at the same structural level or multiple functions on different structural levels perform a superordinate function. Plant functions, e.g. biomechanics, photosynthesis, reproduction, self-repair, self-management, long-term and short-term adaptation to external stimuli etc., are the result of a fine-tuned development of material-structure-function relationships during growth and can change during ontogeny. By advancing imaging techniques, new approaches can be used to study functions that are developing or altering during ontogeny through the division of cells and the modification of tissue. These methods include super-resolution microscopy, confocal microscopy, two-photon microscopy, light-sheet microscopy, focused-ion-beam scanning electron microscopy, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, among others. Each method has advantages and disadvantages and can give novel insights into plant functions.
Our goal is to provide a platform for knowledge advancements and transfer on the topic of advanced imaging in plant development (growth, ontogeny) and function across scales. In the recent past, further developments and optimizations in both computer science and imaging technologies have resulted in new imaging and image postprocessing techniques that enable functional plant imaging on multiple levels of structural hierarchy (nm-m). Some techniques are dominated in specific plant disciplines (molecular biology, physiology, biomechanics etc.) but could also excel in research within other disciplines as well. Gathering novel research on image-based analysis of plant development and function across scales and disciplines within this article collection can provide a platform for researchers to explore different imaging techniques and to understand their advantages and disadvantages. In this way, functional plant imaging can further advance and close knowledge gaps.
This Research Topic intends to highlight advances in imaging of plant developmental processes and/or function dynamics. We welcome Original Research, Reviews, Opinions and Commentaries from a wide range of plant disciplines that deal with plant imaging, development/growth, and function. This includes research dealing with, but is not limited to, the following topics:
• Growth and ontogeny (signalling, responses to stimuli, climate change, organogenesis, morphogenesis etc.).
• Biomechanics (mechanical properties of plants, mechanical adaptations, impact resistance, etc.).
• Self-repair (signalling, self-sealing, self-healing, callus formation, local and global plant regeneration, and responses).
• Reproduction (gametogenesis and embryogenesis, pollen development, female gametophyte development, fertilization, fruit, and seed development etc.).
• Biomimetics (analysis and technical transfer of plant functions)
We acknowledge that Dr. Jaroslav Durkovic collaborates with the companies Attocube and Bruker for publishing research papers. There are no conflicts of interest taking this into consideration.
Keywords:
plant development, advanced imaging, plant-biomechanics, plant-microscopy, plant-ontogeny
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.